TOO PICKY? & HIGH ADVENTURE

TWEETED OUT OF THE GAMES

    OK, so the joke about West Nile Mosquitoes wasn't in the best of taste, but neither was it dangerously offensive. It seemed a harmless attempt with an unintended racism, but it cost Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou her trip to the Olympic games and earned her ignominy.

     This is troublesome.  It once again moves private communication, in this case via Twitter, into the public arena.  In truth the joke was intended only for her followers, in a sense a private arena.  However we can no longer pretend that social media, even if directed to specific users, is like an old fashioned snail mail letter.  One more encroachment upon personal space perhaps, but the way it is in this age. 

     But even given the questionable nature of the joke, is that really grounds to ban an athlete from participating?  If she had told the joke just to fellow triple jumpers, or her coach, it probably would not have resulted in her expulsion.

      I question the fairness and proportionality of the move to kick her out of the games.  As another athlete said, it is a new age.  So it is, and if you are an athletic star, I guess you should be on your best behavior- always.  Just like Soccer, NFL Football, NBA Basketball players always are, right?

       I think she could have "scolded", but being expelled is

an Olympic blunder.  

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF

LUKE AND HEMINGWAY

HIGH ADVENTURE

     Luke-climber, hunter, fast and preferring the high ground.

    Tree, car, fence, house-all places from which he can watch.

        Brother Hemingway follows older brother.

    But as far as core competency, Hemingway rests well.  He's an expert at taking it easy.

    Luke, in his solitude.

See you down the trail.